Electrically-controlled centrifugal extractor.



F. BALZER. I v ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTOR-APPLICATIOH man APRJQ. 1912.

Patented Aug. 14, 191? 2 sums-sum 1.

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ZZZ/1 rmzg g w I I y n W F. BALZER. ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED CENTRIFUGALEXTRACTOR.

APPLICATION HLED APR. 29, I912.

Patented Aug. 14, 191?.

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FRITZ BALZER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO TROY LAUNDRY MACHINERYCOMPANY, LTD., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIONOF NEW YORK.

ELECTRICALLY-GONTROLLED CENTRIF'U'GAL EXTRACTOR.

menses.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patgntgd A g, 141, 191% Applicationfiled April 29,1912. Serial No. 693,989.

. j ect of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, have invented certaln new and usefulImprovements in Electrically-Controlled Centrifugal Extractors, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates in general to centrifugal machines, and morepartlcularly to means for electrically rotating and stopping therotation of the ,basketsof centrifugal extractors.

It is desirable that the rotating'member of a power driven centrifugalmachine should be quickly stopped when the power is disconnected inorder that the articles which have been treated may be removed and otherarticles placed therein without loss of time to the operator. It isfurther desirable that the rotating member should be automaticallystopped when the power is disconnected to avoid danger of injury to theoperator which would result should he place his hands into the rotatingmember before its rotation ceased.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an electrically drivencentrifugal machine having an electric brake which will be automaticallyoperated to retard the rotation of the rotating member of the machinewhen the current to the driving motor is disconnected, and which Wlll beautomatically disengaged from the rotating member when the circuit isclosed to the motor.

A further object of my invention is to provide an electrically drivencentrifugal extractor, in which the raising of the cover of the basketwill disconnect the current from the motor and will automatically effectthe application of a brake to stop the rotation of the basket, and inwhich the closing of the cover will close the circuit to the drivingmotor and simultaneously release the brake.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electricallyoperated centrifugal machine, which will be efficient in operation,simple in construction, and free from danger to the operator.

My invention will be more fully disclosed hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which the same is illustrated as embodiedin a convenient and practical form, in which- Figure l is an elevationalView, parts hemg broken away; v, V

Fig. 2, an enlargedsectional view on line 2 2,'Fig. -1; 1

Fig. 3, a plan view of the brake in release position; and

Fig. 4, a diagram of the electrical circuits.

The same reference characters are used to designate the same parts inthe several figuresof the drawings.

Reference character A designates a casing or curb which is mounted upona suitable support, such, for instance, as legs B. C designates avertical spindle upon the upper end of which is secured a perforatedbasket D located within the casing A. E indicates the motor casingconcentrically surrounding the spindle C and within which is inclosedthe electric motor for rotating the shaft and with it the basket D. Fdesignates a statlonary support upon which the lower end I of the motorcasing E bears.

wardly from the-.- flange E, while the outer end of each springsurrounds a stud g which is radially adjustable by means of a set screwg, extending through a screw threaded opening in thesurroundingcylindrical member A. The radial springs 5 and the support Fnormally retain the moto casing and with it the spindle C in avertical-position, but permit lateral yielding of the motor casing, theinclosed motor and spindle during the rotation of. the basket.

Fixed upon the spindle O, preferably above the motor casing A, is abrake disk H which is adapted to be frictionally engaged by twosemi-circular shoes H and H which are pivotally mounted at adjacent endsupon a post projecting upwardly from the motor caslng A. The free end ofthe brake engaged by a nut m. A spring M is interposed between the nut mand a bracket m fixed upon the upper surface of the motor casing E. Theopposite endof the brake lever K is pivotally connected to a clevis n towhich is secured a cable or other flexible connection N. The cable Npasses around the guide pulley N and is then connected at n to the lowerend of the core 0 of a solenoid O. The solenoid may be convenientlysupported upon the bracket 0 secured to the casing A, which bracket maybe provided with an extension 0 upon which is journaled the guide pulleyl P designates a cover for closing the casing A, which is hinged at p tothe ring P, the latter being secured around the opening at the top ofthe casing A and provided with a water-guard p. a

The cover P is pivotally connected at a point adjacent its hinge to apair of links Q which are also connected to a reciprocating rod Rextending through the water-guard p and operatively connected at s to anelectrical switch inclosed within the switch casing S. The switch casing{5 may be conveniently secured to the outer surface of the water-guardp.

The operation of my improvements is as follows, attention being directedto the diagram shown in Fig. 4. When the cover P is closed, the links Q,draw the rod R toward the left, thereby actuating the switch to closethe circuit from a suitable source of electricity, to the motor andsolenoid. If desired, a suitable automatic starter T may also beincluded in the circuit. switch is closed, the field T and armature T ofthe motor are connected by the leads t, t and t with the automaticstarter T and by the lead 25 with the switch. The winding of thesolenoid O is simultaneously energized by means of the leads u and 14The spindle C is consequently rotated by the motor and such rotation iscommunicated to the basket D, while at the same time the energization ofthe solenoid causes the core 0 to move upwardly, thereby exerting a pullon the cable N and oscillating the brake lever K against the tension ofthe spring M. The brake shoes are thereby swung apart and disengagedfrom the brake disk H.

When the cover P is open the links Q, force the rod R toward the rightuntil they engage the inner surface of the water-guard p, when the linksbreak, as shown in dotted When thelines in Fig. 1. This movement of therod R operates the switch 8 to disconnect the source of energy, bothfrom the motor and solenoid. The spring M consequently oscillates thebrake lever K and forces the shoes H" and H toward each other intofrictional engagement with the brake disk H, thereby stopping therotation of the shaft and with it the basket D.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that by myimprovements the brake is automatically applied when the current isdisconnected from the motor, thereby insuring the prompt stopping of thebasket so that the articles which have been treated may be removedtherefrom and other articles placed therein without loss of time. Itwill also be observed that when the current is closed to the motor thebrake will be automatically released so as to permit the shaft andbasket to be driven by the motor.

It will be further observed that in the specific application of myinvention herein disclosed the lifting of the cover of the centrifugalextractor simultaneously effects the interruption of the current to themotor and the application of the brake so as to stop the rotation of thebasket immediately upon the cover'being raised and thereby avoid dangerto the operator. The closing of the cover automatically closes thecircuit to the motor and to the solenoid, so that the brake will bereleased and the current supplied to the motor.

While I have described more'or less in detail the specific form in whichI have illustrated my invention as embodied, yet I do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form,proportion of parts, and substitution of equivalents. as circumstancesmay require, or as may be deemed expedient.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a casing, of arotary basket inclosed by said casing, a cover for said casing, aspindle upon which said basket is supported, an electric motor forrotating said spindle, a brake for stopping the rotation of saidspindle, a solenoid the core of which is operatively connected with saidbrake to release the same, a spring for automatically applying saidbrake upon the discontinuance of the current through said solenoid, anelectric switch for simultaneously controlling the circuits to saidmotor and solenoid, and means connecting said cover with said switchforactuating the switch when the cover is closedto close the motor andsolenoid circuits and for actuating said switch when the cover is opento open said circuits, whereby the rotation of said basket will bestopped when said cover is opened.

2. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a casing, of arotary basket innes eac closed by said casing, a cover for said casing,a spindle upon which said basket is supported, an electric motorconcentrically surrounding said spindle for rotating the same, a brakedisk fixed to said spindle, brake shoes adapted tofrictionally engagesaid brake disk, a spring for forcing said shoes into contact with saiddisk, a solenoid,

mounted upon said casing having a core which is operatively connectedwith said brake shoes to release them from contact with said diskyanelectric switch supported upon said casing for simultaneouslycontrolling the circuits to said motor and so lenoid, and meansconnecting said cover with said switch for actuating said switch toclose the motor and solenoid circuits when said cover is closed and foractuating said tion with a rotating member, of a protecting switch toopensaid circuits when said cover is open. 5

3. In a centrifugal machine, the combinadisk, a solenoid operativelyconnected to saidshoe for disengaging the same afrom said brake disk,and means controlled by said guard for simultaneously closing orsimultaneously interrupting the circuit to-said motor and solenoid. v 4.In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a rotating basket, ofan electric motor for driving said basket, a casing in i which saidbasket is located, a cover for said casing, an electric motor for drivinsaid basket, an electrically controlled bra e for retarding the rotationof said basket, and

means controlled by said cover for closing the circuit to said motor andsimultaneously releasing said brake and for interrupting the circuit tosaid motor and simultaneously applying said brake.

5. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a rotating basket,of a casing surrounding said basket, 21 cover for said casing, anelectric motor for rotating said basket, a brake for retarding therotation of said basket, a solenoid for releasing said brake, a sprinfor applying said brake, and means contro led by said cover forsimultaneously closing and for simultaneously interrupting the circuitto said motor and solenoid. I

6. In a centrifugal extractor, the combina tion with a rotating basket,of a spindle upon which said basket is supported, a casing in which saidbasket is inclosed, a cover for said casing, an electric motor forrotating said spindle, a brake for retarding the rotation of saidspindle, and means actuated by said cover for simultaneously closing thecircuit to said motor and releasing said brake, and for simultaneouslyinterrupting the current to said motor and applying said brake.

7. In a centrifugal extractor, the combination with a rotating basket,of a spindle upon which said basket is mounted, a casing inclosing saidbasket, a cover for said casing, an electric motor for rotating saidspindle,

- abrake for retarding the rotation of said spindle, a solenoid forreleasing said brake, a spring for applying said brake, and meanscontrolled by the opening of said cover for interrupting the circuit tosaid motor and solenoid, and controlled by the closing of said cover toclose the circuit to said motor and solenoid.

In testimony whereof have snbso. my name.

'1": 1"" w th" i Witnesses:

Gno. L. WILKINSON, HENRY A. PARKS.

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